AMPYRA - FDA Approves New Multiple Sclerosis Treatment

Well, it’s official. The FDA has approved the first oral medication for people with MS. Ampyra, the drug formerly known as Fampridine SR, will reported be available by prescription in March of 2010. Acorda Therapeutics is the drug’s manufacturer and the drug will be available for all types of MS, not just relapsing/remitting as is often the case.

So it should be good news, and I should be leaping for joy, right? As is often the case with pharmaceuticals, there’s a catch . . .

Potential Side Effects Versus Benefits

Even though I would love to be the first in line to avail myself of the drug, even I must slow down and think it through because of the side effects and potential dangers of this new drug.

Here are the details as I understand them:

Ampyra is being marketed as an oral treatment to improve walking for people with MS. I’m good with that. I have trouble walking, if this drug really does increase my walking speed, that would terrific. BENEFIT

“The FDA approved AMPYRA with a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) program comprising a medication guide and communication plan. The goals of the communication plan are to inform patients about the serious risks, including seizures, associated with use of higher than recommended doses of AMPYRA therapy, and the change of the established name from fampridine to dalfampridine.” Nothing alarming in that information, since I don’t plan on taking higher than recommended dosages of the drug.

“AMPYRA can cause seizures; the risk of seizures increases with increasing AMPYRA doses. AMPYRA is contraindicated in patients with a prior history of seizure. Discontinue AMPYRA use if seizure occurs.” Here is that pesky warning again. Seems like everyone has the risks of seizures in that quote.

“AMPYRA is contraindicated in patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (CrCl≤50 mL/min); the risk of seizures in patients with mild renal impairment (CrCl 51–80 mL/min) is unknown, but AMPYRA plasma levels in these patients may approach those seen at a dose of 15 mg twice daily, a dose that may be associated with an increased risk of seizures; estimated CrCl should be known before initiating treatment with AMPYRA.” I now need to add an alert about possible kidney/renal problems which means I need to make sure my kidneys are in good condition before beginning this drug.

What is renal impairment, and why is it important that those taking AMPYRA have normal renal function? “Renal” refers to the kidneys, which in essence clean the blood. If I have adequate kidney function, then Ampyra will be cleared from my blood to a sufficient degree between doses so as to maintain a steady drug level in the blood. But If I have moderate to severe kidney impairment, then there is a danger that the concentration of the drug will increase in my blood beyond the amount considered safe. The result could be increased side effects including seizures.

For the same reasons, Ampyra should not be taken in combination with other forms of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP, fampridine), since the active ingredient is the same. Not worried about this section since I don't take 4-AP in any form.

The explanation of renal impairment has supplied me with further proof that I need to talk to my doctor about my kidney test results.

Given the above list of side effects you can see why I am hesitating. Correct me if I am wrong, but aren’t those side effects what we already battle on a daily basis? Do I need to take a drug that will increase my lack of balance, or make me dizzier? Do I want a drug that can make me have a relapse?

In case you are not a walking medical encyclopedia, allow me to define some of the other listed side effects

Asthenia: An abnormal loss of strength

Paresthesia: Tingling, itching, burning skin (Sounds a lot like nerve pain to me. Which I already have in abundance)

Nasopharyngitis: Usually known as the common cold

pharyngolaryngeal pain: apparently pain of the pharynx, not quite sure what that entails. Doesn’t sound good though.

Dyspepsia: Indigestion, heartburn or nausea

At this point and time, I am straining to understand the benefit of taking Ampyra. Seems like the treatment for MS is worse than staying where I am with the dreaded Copaxone injections.

While it is certainly true that MS affects an estimated 2.5 million people worldwide and that 64%-85% of people with MS have difficulty walking, and 70% of people with MS who have difficulty walking report it to be the most challenging aspect of their MS and statistically and I fall within the 50 percentile of people with MS for 15 years who does require assistance walking and, yes in later stages, I might comprise the up to a one third of that number who are unable to walk. I still have not decided if the risks outweigh the benefits.

The thought of walking longer and faster excites me, but how sick am I willing to be in order to walk faster and longer?

Also, it doesn’t appear that Amprya slows down MS progression in any way. It strictly treats a MS symptom.

Where I Stand?

It doesn’t appear that this is the oral drug I have been waiting for. I wanted a drug to replace the daily injection which this doesn’t appear to do.

Still it is a new drug, the first released since 2004. Perhaps the next oral drug will do more than help with a symptom.

My never ending quest for the right drug at the right time in the right form still continues, however for someone who has totally lost the ability to walk and who is progressively losing this ability, this drug is something worth investigating.

Presently, it seems Prozac is aiding me enough to satisfy me. If by chance my walking ability worsens, it is good to know there is a pill out there that just might help.

I will be waiting to hear about this drug's effectiveness when it becomes available in March.

Meanwhile this has been a glimpse into the scrutiny we people with MS must apply when deciding if a new drug will aid us in our daily struggle

What the MS Society Has to Say

The National MS Society has issued a release detailing this new drug.

The correct pronunciation is amPEERah, for example.

The phone line that individuals may call for information: 1-888-881-1918.

Until now there was no pharmacological treatment available for MS-related difficulty walking.

Results Vary

As with any drug, results will vary. For example, Richard Cohen had no success with Ampyra, according to his wife, Meredith Vieira, Today Show co-host. Others have shown dramatic improvement in a short period of time. Including walking after being confined to a wheelchair for years.

If you have an experience you would like to share, please feel free to leave a comment about whether Ampyra has worked for you.

Comments

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sending

carozy

6 years agofrom San Francisco

I don't mean to butt in but Dr. McDougall is carrying on Dr. Swank's work which shows that adopting a low fat vegan diet stops the progression of MS. You can learn more at Dr. McDougall's website. The webpage is http://drmcdougall.com/med_hot_ms.html

cathylynn99

7 years agofrom northeastern US

pharyngeal pain is throat pain.

AUTHOR

Jen's Solitude

8 years agofrom Delaware

Hi Priscilla,the last five years or so I have noticed increased nerve pain in my right leg. I went from Neurontin to Lyrica.

Priscilla Baker

8 years ago

It seems like I have way more nerve pain. Anyone else?

AUTHOR

Jen's Solitude

8 years agofrom Delaware

I will Ethel, thanks!

Ethel Smith

8 years agofrom Kingston-Upon-Hull

Take care and good luck. You have such a strong spirit

AUTHOR

Jen's Solitude

8 years agofrom Delaware

Hi Harvey, they claim it is for all types of MS. See the 2 link in the blue box for that info. Maybe it is something that can help you. I sure hope so my friend.

Harvey Stelman

8 years agofrom Illinois

Jen,

Long time! Of course this is for Relapsing-Remitting MS, I hope you can get some help. There is Still nothing for my Chronic-Progressive MS. In fact there is nothing in the pipeline.

AUTHOR

Jen's Solitude

8 years agofrom Delaware

Hi Paradise7, the info is out there. I think the drug companies do a decent job in providing the side effects and risks to the drugs. Thanks for the comment

Paradise7

8 years agofrom Upstate New York

Many people will be grateful for this information. I wonder if the drug companies adequately publish the side effects and possible downside to new meds. Good luck, and best wishes, as always.

AUTHOR

Jen's Solitude

8 years agofrom Delaware

Hi Laura, I will have to check out your latest hub, as I'm sure I will benefit from reading it.

So far, I haven't heard anything about the liver, but I personally worry about just how much my body can handle, when it comes to scripts. I hope I don't find info that liver function is also a worry.

Acorda hasn't released the actual price yet, I am wondering how much it will cost as well. I'll update as more info becomes available.

Thanks for stopping by,please let me know when your hub is published.

Laura Thykeson

8 years agofrom Central Texas

Well, hope may be on the horizon, but like bipolar disease, it may just treat the symptoms and not "cure you", sadly enough. I was really anxious to read this since finding out a close friend has MS. Having to take a long list of meds because of heart disease and bipolar, etc., I can sympathize with the frustration of both the cost, as well as the side effects-Side effects CAN DEFINITELY be more debilitating than the actual disease at times...

Since this drug can affect the kidneys, I wonder if it can also affect the liver, since both filter toxins, etc., through our bodies?? Anyway, take care and I'm glad to see you researching the meds your Dr. may prescribe. They don't always know all the side effects themselves-I just wrote a two-piece hub about the importance of researching any and all meds you take or are prescribed. More people need to take charge of their own health and not just always go on blind faith. mistakes can and are made, no matter how careful Dr.s and Pharmacists are.

AUTHOR

Jen's Solitude

8 years agofrom Delaware

Sad but true fishtiger58. It annoys my husband to no end that so many drugs have side effects which mimic MS itself. The process of trial and error gets tiresome when it takes time to find the right fix for our individual problems. I totally understand why some chose to stay far away from drugs for as long as possible. I am constantly complaining about the number of drugs I take, but have learned to accept the fact that my health problems need to be addressed in this way if I'm to have an acceptable quality of life.

I appreciate your comment, thanks very much!

fishtiger58

8 years agofrom Momence, Illinois

As often is the case sometimes the drug side effects are worse than the disease itself. It is something to think about. Now of course not everyone will have all the side effects but I would think long and hard about taking this, or any drug for that matter. It's really a shame that drugs to help often make you sicker in other ways. Must weight the pros and cons. Good luck on your research.

AUTHOR

Jen's Solitude

8 years agofrom Delaware

Hi Sara, I do remember now that you've mentioned it. There is another oral drug in the works too, though I can't remember its name off hand. And you are right, it can be taken with Copaxone and all other injectables. I was just hoping it would end up replacing the injection rather than supplement it. But as you say, it is there in case I need it, which is always good.

Thanks for stopping by it was good to hear from you!

Sara Tonyn

8 years agofrom Ohio, the Buckeye State

Hi Jen! You probably don't remember but this is the drug I mentioned to you a month or so ago. I hope you'll speak to your doctor about it even if you don't think it's what you're looking for at this time. He may have additional info that will change your mind. I read that it may be used in combination with older medications that slow down the progression of MS. So who knows? Maybe adding Ampyra to what you're already taking will be of some help even if Ampyra isn't helpful to you on its own.

In any case, whether the drug is for you or not, best wishes, good luck and take care! :)

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